Coingaming Group

Coingaming Group has shaken up its group structure as the operator aims to usher in a new chapter by appointing a new CEO and COO.

Firstly, this will see Tim Heath, group co-founder and CEO, expand his remit to grow the firm’s outreach through its venture capital arm, Yolo Investments.

Maarja Pärt, formerly COO, is to occupy the role of CEO, which is to become more focused upon the Sportsbet.io, Bitcasino.io and Slots.io brands. Stepping into the role of COO will be the former head of VIP and customer support, Anita Brinke.

Heath commented: “This is one of the proudest moments of Coingaming for me. As we get to see how much the group has grown, as part of our next growth chapter we will be actively focusing on building and expanding the investment arm to further bolster the group’s global remit.

“We are very excited to extend our focus into banking and disruptive crypto opportunities, alongside our existing gaming and fintech assets; the future looks very exciting. One immediate benefit of these changes is that we’ll be able to work with our the Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino.io brands, spearheaded by our newly appointed CEO, as investments alongside the other 44 the group has made to date.”

888 Holdings

Online gaming entertainment and solutions providers 888 Holdings has named Yariv Dafna as the group’s new CFO, following a prior announcement that current incumbent Aviad Kobrine is stepping down after more 15 years in the role.

Dafna will join the group on 1 November 2020 and be appointed to the board the same day, with Aviad will step down on the same date.

“I am delighted to welcome Yariv Dafna as 888’s new chief financial officer. Yariv’s experience and drive made him the standout candidate for the role, and we are very pleased he has decided to join the group at such an important time in 888’s continued growth and development,” noted Brian Mattingley, chairman of 888.

“On behalf of everyone at 888, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to Aviad for his significant contribution and achievements over the last 15 years with the group and we wish him every success for the future.”

Vigtory

Scott Butera has been appointed as co-CEO of US sportsbook Vigtory, joining forces with the company’s current CEO Sam Rattner. He has also been given a role on the firm’s board of directors.

Butera, who brings 30 years of executive management and operational expertise across casino operations, sports betting and igaming, will lead strategy and corporate growth for the emerging sports betting and interactive gaming company which officially launches later this year.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining Vigtory. While US sports betting and interactive gaming is off to a tremendous start, there are countless opportunities in underserved sectors,” said Butera.

“Sam and I share a common vision to create a state-of-the-art customer experience, bringing unique sports betting products and a level of sophistication to a market that’s ripe for disruption.”

1X2 Network

Game developer and content aggregator 1X2 Network has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of Jack Brown as sales director as the business continues to grow its client base.

Brown, who joins from game aggregator iForium where he held the role of head of commercial, will be responsible for generating leads and securing new operator partner contracts for 1X2 Network’s Iron Dog Studio and 1X2gaming brands.

Kevin Reid, CCO at 1X2 Network, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jack to the team and for 1X2 Network to be able to leverage his natural talent for sales and deal making, as well as his incredible network of operator contacts.

“Momentum is very much behind 1X2 Network right now and we have some incredible games, concepts and features in the pipeline. This, combined with Jack’s skills and contacts, will allow us to connect with new operators and provide them with our popular slots and table games.”

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Push Gaming

Nicola Longmuir has been appointed as chief commercial officer of Push Gaming, in a move that the developer hopes will further boost in global footprint across a range of key markets.

Said to form “a key centre piece in Push Gaming’s business development plans,” Longmuir will be spearheading the company’s strategic goals for marketing, product and sales, as well as cultivating existing relationships with its growing global operator portfolio.

James Marshall, CEO at Push Gaming, commented: “Nicola Longmuir is a highly skilled professional boasting a wealth of successful experience working for some of our industry’s best-known brands, and we are thrilled to have her aboard.

“We see this hire as a gamechanger for us and we’re sure Nicola will prove to be a massive boost towards reaching our goal of becoming a market leader.”

Pragmatic Play

Online casino content provider Pragmatic Play has expanded its senior team further still after appointing Solomon Godwin as content manager for the African region.

Following hot on the heels of the appointment of Victor Arias as VP of Latin America, Godwin will gain responsibility for growing the firm’s network of partners across the region and expanding its reputation with the help of the supplier’s multi-product portfolio.

Pragmatic Play’s developmental strategy will be focused on ensuring its product suite enhances its presence across the continent.

Lena Yasir, VP of Malta at Pragmatic Play, stated: “We are delighted to bolster our growing senior team with the hiring of Solomon. Having regional leaders allows us to accelerate our expansion through a sizeable presence in the region and we’re thrilled to have Solomon on board.”

1X2 Network

Former NetEnt and Red Tiger hire Rory Kimber has been drafted by 1X2 Network, with the game developer and content aggregator strengthening its senior team with a new head of account management.

Kimber will be tasked with heading up the account management team at 1X2 Network and its subsidiaries 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio, as well as taking the lead on commercial projects affecting the providers client base, including those such as the Branded Megaways product.

He will also strive to utilise his extensive knowledge and experience to drive growth commercially and setting and deploying strategies for communicating with clients new and existing. Kimber will also build out the team by onboarding new talent.

Kevin Reid, chief commercial officer at 1X2 Network, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rory to the company and for him to lead our Account Management team into what is a hugely exciting period for the business and our 1X2gaming and Iron Dog Studio brands.

“Branded Megaways is our latest innovation and we have plenty more in the pipeline. Rory will play a key role in introducing our products, games and services to new and existing partners as we look to establish 1X2 Network as a tier one provider in markets around the world.”

Entertainment Laboratories

Entertainment Laboratories is on the lookout for a new chief financial officer after current incumbent Adam Jonsson announced his attention to leave the company.

Having served for just over two years in total at the company, Jonsson first joined Enlabs as group controller and gained responsibility for investor issues, before his appointment as CFO in December 2019.

Jonsson will remain in office until he leaves Enlabs in October 2020, with the process of appointing a replacement having subsequently begun.

“Adam has played an important role within Enlabs and has contributed a lot to our development. I will miss our close cooperation and wish Adam all the best in his further career,” commented Enlabs CEO George Ustinov.

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As a result of the strategic partnership, 1X2 Network’s roster of operator partners will be able to add live casino titles that feature ‘dynamic 3D environments and innovative virtual hosts’ supplied by EEZE to their online casino platforms. 

“We are thrilled to partner with 1X2 Network to bring our innovative live casino content to an even broader audience,” said Graeme Powrie, Chief Commercial Officer at EEZE.

“1X2 Network has a fantastic reputation as a leading aggregator, and this partnership will allow us to grow our footprint while delivering exciting and immersive experiences to players around the world.”

EEZE games to be added to 1X2 Network’s aggregation hub include Absolute Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat, enhancing the aggregator’s third-party content hub that has been supplying operators since 2014. 

Kevin Reid, Chief Commercial Officer at 1X2 Network, added: “We’re delighted to add EEZE’s forward-thinking live casino content to our aggregation offering. Their commitment to providing high-quality, customizable gaming environments aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the best possible content to our partners. 

“We are confident that our customers will enjoy this new and unique range of live casino experiences.”

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As a result of the agreement, 1X2 Network has curated a collection of games from its roster of subsidiary studios to initially be integrated into BetMGM’s online casino platform in Michigan. 

Following the integration in the Great Lake State, the provider’s collection of igaming content will then be made available on BetMGM’s Ontario-facing service ‘in the coming year’. 

Kevin Reid, Chief Executive Officer at 1X2 Network, commented: “We have ambitious plans for the North American market and what better way to build further momentum here than by partnering with one of the most prestigious operators, BetMGM. 

“Our games are proving to be hugely popular with players in the US thanks to the great themes, bold design and gripping gameplay built into each title. This includes Crashout Maverick, which has quickly become one of the top crash games in the market. 

“This is a significant deal for 1X2 Network and really does mark our arrival as a leading content provider in the fast-growing market.” 

As aforementioned, 1X2 Network’s Crash Maverick title – a crash game developed by LatAm-focused subsidiary AD LUNAM – will be made available to BetMGM players in Michigan.

In addition to this crash game, slots from Iron Dog Studio, 1X2gaming and Prospect Gaming will be included, with titles such as Wolf Strike, Eagle Strike 1 Million Megaways BC, Reel Diamonds and Prospector Wilds on offer.  

Oliver Bartlett, Vice President of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, added: “The partnership with 1X2 Network is a testament to our commitment to offer the broadest and best content to our players. We look forward to seeing them fire up the reels on big action slots such as Wolf Strike and enjoying the thrills and spills of Crashout Maverick”.

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Strengthening its North American visibility, 1X2 Network has offered slots from its roster of subsidiary studios to the RSI-owned BetRivers online casino platform in the Great Lake State. 

This will see games from 1X2 Network studios such as Iron Dog Studio and AD LUNAM offered to BetRivers players, with the supplier’s content offering consisting of slots and crash games. 

Kevin Reid, CEO at 1X2 Network, stated: “Our launch into Michigan with one of North America’s most respected and innovative online casino operators is a landmark occasion for all of us at 1X2 Network.

“RSI’s BetRivers platform places us in an excellent position to share our unique content with players in Michigan, which has seen overwhelming success within igaming. 

“The US is a major strategic market, and we are excited that RSI is our exclusive market entry partner for Michigan.”

BetRivers Michigan player base will benefit from the partnership by gaining access to Iron Dog Studio slots like Wolf Strike, Eagle Strike, and 1 Million Megaways, as well as AD LUNAM’s debut title, Maverick Crashout. 

Richard Schwartz, CEO for RSI, added: “We’re very happy to be the first in the US to partner with 1X2 Network to launch their slot game offerings as we always want to create new and exciting entertainment experiences for our players. 

“1X2 Network has a unique portfolio of online slots, and we are confident that our customers in Michigan will enjoy what this leading content supplier has to present now and in the future.”

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Within the deal, 1X2 Network has agreed to host ELA Games’ portfolio of igaming content on its aggregation platform, adding slot titles such as Cash of Gods, Kraken Bay, and Fish and Spins. 

Christopher Reid, Director of Accounts at 1X2 Network, noted: “Our collaboration with ELA Games reflects our unwavering commitment to driving innovation in the igaming industry. ELA Games’ diverse gaming portfolio perfectly aligns with our vision of delivering forward-thinking and entertaining gaming products to players worldwide.”

In addition to slot content, ELA Games’ offering consists of proprietary arcade-style claw-machine titles Cash Crab and Bonus Crab. 

“Partnering with a provider such as 1X2 Network Partnerships marks an important milestone for ELA Games,” added Mike Cini, ELA Games’ Business Owner.

“Leveraging 1X2 Network’s extensive industry expertise and global reach provides us with a tremendous opportunity to showcase our products on a global level, and we are excited to take advantage of this opportunity.”

While offering titles on a third-party basis, 1X2 Network has also focused on increasing the visibility of its in-house slot content in recent weeks, forming an integration agreement with MrQ. 

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Facilitated via Relax Gaming, the deal gives MrQ players access to slot titles such as Rainin’ Money, Megaways Jack and the Magic Beans, Wolf Strike Hold and Win and 1 Million Megaways BC.

Kelly Hall, Business Development Manager at 1X2 Network, stated: “It’s great to see some of our most popular games land in the MrQ lobby and for its players to experience the thrills of Megaways Jack and Wolf Strike for the first time. These are now iconic games among slot players in the UK.

“This MrQ partnership is a really important one for us. Not only is it a testament to the quality of our content, but it means we are now live virtually on all licenced brands in the market, which is a significant achievement.”

Creating content since 2002, 1X2 Network features slot games from various in-house studios – including Iron Dog Studio, 1X2gaming, AD LUNAM and Prospect Gaming – for different markets.

“MrQ is home to some of the biggest studios in casino gaming and we are happy to add 1X2’s portfolio to our stellar list of providers,” added Stine Graff, Casino Executive at MrQ.

“Our goal is to provide quality entertainment to our players and with titles like 1 Million Megaways BC and Wolf Strike; 1X2 certainly fit right in.”

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Through this deal, Boldplay’s collection of proprietary online casino titles will become available to 1X2 Network’s roster of operator partners, as the game developer group looks to branch out into aggregation. 

Alex Ratcliffe, Chief Product Officer at 1X2 Network, commented: “Our partnership with Boldplay is a cornerstone in the new chapter for 1X2 Network Partnerships. 

“Their dynamic games perfectly align with our vision of offering diverse and exceptional content. This collaboration, along with our aggregation platform being recognized at industry awards, reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation.”

As part of the collaboration, 1×2 Network Partnerships will distribute an array of Boldplay slot releases such as Brute Force, Arriba, Torro Bravo, and Cam Carter – Wheel of Wonder.

Valli Fragoso, CEO at Boldplay, added: “Joining forces with 1X2 Network at this pivotal moment, with its rebranding and accolades for aggregation, is a remarkable opportunity for Boldplay. 

“Together, we aspire to broaden our reach and elevate the gaming experience for players globally.”

“The integration of Boldplay’s game portfolio with 1X2 Network Partnerships signifies a strong commitment to delivering top-tier gaming content and enhancing global distribution.”

In recent weeks, 1X2 Network has enhanced the visibility of its own slot releases, tapping into Romanian audiences in a deal with Skywind Group.

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Looking to tap into another corner of Romania’s igaming market, games from 1X2 Network studios such as 1X2 gaming, Iron Dog Studio and AD LUNAM will become available across Skywind’s various Romania-facing online casinos. 

The partnership includes direct integrations into princesscasino.ro, cashpot.ro, luck.com.ro and magnumbet.ro. 

Christopher Reid, Director of Accounts at 1X2 Network, explained: “Partnering up with Skywind Group provides us with access to some of the most popular online platforms in Romania. The operator works with some of the best developers in the industry, and they can now proudly add 1X2 Network’s range of innovative slots and games to its game lobbies.

“Romania has been a key market for us since receiving our licence there in 2022, and partnering with Skywind Group allows us to expand our presence in the country.”

Included in 1X2 Network’s online casino offering are titles such as Plinko Go, Smoking Hot Fruits and crash game Maverick, now made available to Skywind Group’s Romanian player base.. 

“We are delighted to add 1X2 Network’s unique brand of exciting games to our platforms in Romania,” added Alina Popa, Business Development Manager at Skywind Group.

“Our aim at 1X2 Network is to provide our players with the cutting-edge of online slot action and gameplay, and working with partners like 1X2 Network allows us to achieve this.”

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Katya Machuganova, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming, Alex Ratcliffe, CPO at 1X2 Network, Jorgen Nordlund, Co-Founder of Glitnor Group, Troy Paul, CEO and Founder of SGG and Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Spribe CCO, continue a CasinoBeats Gen Z deep-dive.

CasinoBeats: A ‘one size fits all’ approach is not likely to work with a Gen Z audience that prides itself on a diverse range of tastes; how can operators/studios ensure they are engaging with different Gen Z players while maintaining authenticity and not losing their own brand identity?

Katya Machuganova: This comes down to tailoring experiences and embracing the diversity of Generation Z and the different preferences that exist within this audience. Operators and studios need to do this while also remaining true to their brand identity and values – this is an audience that understands authenticity and knows when a brand is not being honest.

Offering diverse in-game customisation options that resonate with different preferences or creating tailored content on different platforms to maintain authenticity across the board are just two ways of doing this.

Alex Ratcliffe: To engage the diverse preferences of Gen Z, operators and studios need to embrace a multi-faceted approach. This involves creating a range of content and experiences that cater to different interests within this demographic. It’s about striking a balance between diversifying offerings and maintaining a strong, cohesive brand identity.

Personalisation plays a crucial role here – using data to understand the preferences of different segments within Gen Z and tailoring experiences accordingly. However, it’s crucial to maintain authenticity and not lose sight of the core brand values while trying to cater to diverse tastes.

Studios need to have more than one weapon in their arsenal to keep Gen Z audiences engaged. They will need to be flexible and create a range of content and experiences that cater to the different needs and interests of the demographic. This is not as easy as it sounds, though. While doing this, they will also need to find a way to maintain their own sense of brand identity. 

One of the answers lies in personalisation. Operators have access to more data than ever before, and with the emergence of new technologies, they can offer a more personalised experience than ever before.

Jorgen Nordlund: From a B2C perspective, at both our Lucky and HappyCasino brands we definitely try to have as many top-tier game providers as possible to cater for the diverse tastes of the Gen Z demographic – and this also helps us attract players from many different audience segments as well.

As I mentioned before, Gen Z is primarily a mobile-focused demographic, so we’ve built both platforms with a mobile-first approach. On the Swintt side of things, we’re already pretty well set-up to offer a diverse range of content that accommodates many different tastes and playing preferences.

Not only do we have the strong SwinttPremium and SwinttGames catalogues that I’ve already touched on, but we’ve also been working hard to improve our SwinttStudios line-up. With this exciting initiative enabling boutique studios to develop and distribute their games within Swintt’s existing infrastructure, we’re able to stream a number of unique titles that will hopefully attract players from many different demographics.

Troy Paul: This is where micro-influencers become an excellent marketing tool. Sports fans will choose their influencers based on their interests, communities, and trust. Working with micro-influencers can be an excellent way for a brand to market itself to Gen Z players.

The diverse range of micro-influencers also ensures that operators can reach a wide audience while also maintaining their own brand identity. 

It’s important to understand that sports fans choose their influencers and not the other way around. As such, this sense of trust and faith in their products is already established.

Giorgi Tsutskiridze: Operators need to be flexible not only when it comes to the content they stock in their lobbies, but also how they market and promote those games to players. With Aviator, we offer a range of different promotion methods. This includes Free Bets, which operators can use to entice players to try Aviator for the first time, as well as Rain Promo.

This sees Free Bets shared into the chat – players can then claim them for themselves or make them “Rain” into the chat function where other players can claim them too. This helps to provide a diverse gaming experience for the player while allowing the operator to engage them in a way that’s authentic and adds value to their play.

CB: Gen Z are digital natives, and they are quick to tape up new trends and technology. How can operators effectively retain customers that are always looking for the next big thing?

AR: Gen Z is always on the lookout for the next big thing, so if operators want to keep their attention, they need to be dynamic and innovative. They will not be able to get complacent with Gen Z audiences and offer them the same old bonuses and gameplay over and over. 

Operators will need to keep their portfolios regularly updated, while developers must find ways to offer new and fresh experiences. New technologies are emerging all of the time, and they will need to harness these to offer something fresh and exciting. 

Another key element for retention is going to be engagement. Building communities, providing more immersive gameplay experiences, and leveraging the power of social media is going to be essential. It’s about creating a brand experience that is not just transactional but also relational and continuously evolving.

JN: It definitely helps to keep an eye on the latest trends – and in order to do this effectively, I think it’s also important to have a diverse staff that’s capable of assessing things from several different perspectives.

When you have different backgrounds, beliefs and experiences within your workforce, it’s much easier to brainstorm your approach and identify the platforms that are likely to be effective for each audience segment. In terms of finding “next big thing”, I think it really comes down to a process of trial and error.

From a game developer perspective, we’re always trying to come up with new themes and features until we find one that really resonates with players. On the operator side, getting closer to your audience and finding ways to build meaningful relationships with them is vital, as is looking into any innovative new marketing strategies that can work within existing regulations.

TP: Gen Z eyeballs are locked on social media, and operators should be looking there as a way to reach them. Yes, social media trends can change quickly, and operators and marketers need to be able to adapt to this, but if you are not focusing on social media, then you are already way behind the curve. 

GT: Staying ahead – that’s our mantra at SPRIBE as this is the only way to stay on top of trends and ensure our games not only meet but exceed player expectations. That’s why we look to create evolving player experiences rather than just games. We keep our finger on the pulse and use this insight to bring new features into our titles including Aviator.

In fact, Aviator is one of our most developed games – we are always tweaking the design, gameplay, features and so on to keep hitting the mark with ever-changing player expectations.

Aviator was the next big thing when it launched back in 2018, but by taking this approach we have ensured that it still delivers fresh experiences to players today, and that’s why the number of active players engaged with the game continues to increase month on month.

KM: To ensure that Gen Z players keep coming back for more, operators must be agile and adopt new technologies and trends. Being at the cutting edge is crucial to meeting and exceeding the expectations of this savvy, demanding audience. This could include incorporating augmented reality or virtual reality into the casino experience and games. This proactive approach aligns with the need to connect with Gen Zers now ahead of them becoming the most important player audience in years to come. This is already happening in the sports betting space, with watch-and-bet. 

These are live sports events with the option to bet in real-time on different aspects of the game. Key features include live streaming through online platforms, low latency video delivery and in-play/micro betting options.

The interactive interface facilitates easy navigation and fast bet placement, and this is complemented by real-time odds and stats that help inform betting decisions. This leads to an immersive and engaging environment for sports bettors through seamlessly integrating live sports content with interactive betting options. 

It represents an evolution in the sports betting space and is hugely relevant to Gen Z – we just need a similar product and experience to hit the online casino sector to deliver ‘“’the next big thing’”’ while also helping operators to retain customers. 

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